NAGLULUKSA ngayon ang buong entertainment industry sa pagpanaw ng veteran showbiz reporter na si Mario Dumaual.
Sumakabilang-buhay ang beteranong reporter ng Kapamilya news program na “TV Patrol” kaninang umaga.
Ilang araw din siyang na-confine sa ICU ng Philippine Heart Center matapos atakihin sa puso noong June 5 at malagay sa kritikal na kundisyon.
Narito ang opisyal na pahayag ng pamilya ng namayapang haligi ng entertainment media na ipinost sa kanyang Facebook account.
“We are devastated to announce the passing of Mario Dumaual — Papa to his wife Cherie and children Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa; Wowo to his grandchildren Sky, Alonzoe, and Tali; and Yayo to his siblings.
“Mario, who would have turned 65 on July 31, died at 8:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5 due to septic shock. He had been battling a severe fungal infection, a complication during his recovery from a heart attack. He was confined for a month at the Philippine Heart Center.
“Papa was strong, he kept fighting on, overcoming the heart attack then a cardiac arrest. He would always say he wanted to go home because he missed us, his family. But the infection overwhelmed his body’s ability to recover.
“What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, waiting for him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayers and help for his recovery.
Baka Bet Mo: Mario Dumaual nasa ICU dahil inatake sa puso, panawagan ng pamilya: Please keep him in your prayers…
“Papa was our rock, we depended much on him. But he also nurtured us to become strong and able and to be the best version of ourselves. Beyond us his family, we’d like to think he also left a legacy in entertainment journalism. He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter, but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, ang granddad.
“Our family will share details of Papa’s wake in the coming days.”
Nauna rito, humiling ng dasal ang pamilya ni Tito Mario para sa paggaling ng kanyang karamdaman. Nanawagan din sila ng tulong para sa hospital bills na umabot na sa mahigit P1 million.
Bago pa tuluyang mamaalam ang veteran entertainment journalist, naglabas pa ng official statement ang kanyang pamilya sa pamamagitan ng anak niyang si Miguel.
“It’s been a difficult week, but we still have much to be grateful for. Papa suffered a heart attack last Monday and remains under critical care today, three days on,” ang bahagi ng Facebook post ni Miguel Dumaual.
“But he can now at least tell us, during the few times he’s given his phone while isolated, that he misses and wishes to be with us. I’ve never treasured a message so much after what Papa went through and is still hurdling.
“The constant stream of messages and well wishes for Papa — from his friends in the industry and countless others he’s worked with or briefly encountered, and even kind strangers — they have been a heartwarming reminder of how loved he is.
“For now, please keep him in your prayers. We claim that in the coming days we’ll have more to be grateful for, including having him back home,” aniya pa.
Last January, tinanggap ni Tito Mario ang kanyang five-point brass star mula sa German Moreno Walk of Fame sa Eastwood City, Quezon City.
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